sistence plants include berries (e.g., crow- berries, lowbush salmonberries, blueberries, cranberries, huckleberries, elderberries), seaweed, sea asparagus, fireweed jelly, wild onions, teas, and more (Alaska Native Health Board & Alaska Native Epidemiology Cen- ter, 2004). ANs consume or use every part of an animal. For example, seal meat is eaten, skin is transformed into hunting buoys or food storage containers, intestines are used for clothing materials, and the hide is used for water-resistant gloves or boots (Maxwell, 2022). One study showed that subsistence foods make up between 12% and 34% of AN total energy intake, varying by region. Sub- sistence foods are the main source of pro- tein, vitamin B-12, iron, and 96% of all the omega-3 fatty acids (Alaska Native Health Board & Alaska Native Epidemiology Cen- ter, 2004). In a more recent study, however, researchers found that over a 10-year period, traditional foods consumption has declined significantly (Redwood et al., 2019). Increasing temperatures have altered Alaska ecologically and threaten the food security of AN communities. The decreasing and chang- ing sea ice patterns have aected access to subsistence marine mammals due to the shift of animal distribution, timing, behavior, and local abundance (Huntington et al., 2016). For example, the bowhead whale, an impor- tant animal hunted traditionally in the Iñupiat community, has altered its seasonal pattern by arriving earlier in the spring and later in the autumn. Although more bowheads have been spotted by hunters, the cumulative impact of thinner annual shorefast ice has made it dif- ficult for hunters to find ice thick enough to haul and butcher whales (Huntington et al., 2016). Herman Ahsoak states that “ice condi- tions are a major challenge. Every year now the ice thickness and conditions have started to vary. Many years ago, you could rely on the sea ice being 12–14 ft thick, but not anymore” (G. Bare, personal communication, February 3, 2023). Due to the reduction and thinning of sea ice, hunters face increased risks such as boating accidents and falling through the ice. The change in sea ice has also decreased Alas- kan salmon populations and introduced inva- sive marine species to Alaskan seas, thereby altering or reducing subsistence resources for ANs (Alaska Sea Grant, 2015). In the southwest region of Alaska, an area where salmon was once plentiful and a criti-
Resources to Build Engagement With Indigenous Peoples
Local, national, and international policies and decisions impact the daily lives of Indig - enous 'eoples. Impacts include Indigenous sovereignty, food security, health, environ - ment, economy, and more. Indigenous 'eoples need to be more than just partners in these discussions, they need to be prominent drivers of the decisions that affect their communities. In working with a community, it is important to spend time, money, and energy with the people to understand their values and protocols for engagement (Inuit Circumpolar Council, 2022). Environmental public health and other local government agencies need to acknowledge that inequity is a structured system and not based solely on individuals. Agencies and organiJations need to integrate and institutionaliJe equality and social jus- tice concepts and values into their policies, procedures, practices, norms, and values. The following resources provide a starting place for promoting a health equity lens within an agency or organiJation. Protocols and Considerations for Engagement With Indigenous Communities • Circumpolar Unit 'rotocols for Equitable and Ethical Engagement www.inuitcircumpolar.com project circumpolar-inuit-protocols-for-equitable-and- ethical-engagement • Working Effectively With Alaska Native Tribes and OrganiJations esk Guide https mentalhealthce.com courses contentWA" WA"-Working-with-Alaska-Natives- 'rotocol-Etiquette.pdf • Guidance for Federal epartments and Agencies on Indigenous "nowledge www.whitehouse.gov wp-content uploads 2022 12 OST'-CE(-I"-Guidance.pdf • Health and Wellness 'lanning A Toolkit for BC First Nations www.fnha.ca WellnessSite Wellnessocuments FNHA-Health-and-Wellness- 'lanning-A-Toolkit-for-BC-First-Nations.pdf Examples of Equity and Social Justice Integration Into Environmental Public Health Agencies and Services • National Environmental Health Association – Integrating Environmental Justice and Climate and Health www.neha.org Images resources Integrating20Environmental20Justice20and20Climate0 FINAL0-10-23.pdf • SeattleL"ing County, Washington – Equity and Social Justice Strategic 'lan https kingcounty.gov elected executive equity-social-justice strategic-plan.aspx – True North and -alues https kingcounty.gov elected executive constantine initiatives true-north.aspx • Los Angeles County, California – Racial Equity Strategic 'lan https ceo.lacounty.gov racial-equity-strategic-plan • City of Lawrence, "ansas – Equity and Inclusion epartment https lawrenceks.org equity
cal food source for inhabitants, salmon num- bers have been in steep decline. According to Agatha Napoleon, they are “seeing more dis- ease in our fish” and must throw “about one fourth of them away” (A. Chang, personal communication, July 3, 2023). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (2022) attributes the decline to sev-
eral factors including warm water tempera- tures. Ellen Napoleon, council president of the Native Village of Paimiut, also attributes the salmon decline to the commercial “trawl- er fishing out in the Bering Sea” (A. Chang, personal communication, July 3, 2023). In 2023, to increase and protect salmon numbers, Alaska Wildlife ocials restricted
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December 2023 • Journal of Environmental Health
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